Emmitt Smith
Running Back · Dallas Cowboys
Collector's Edge Excalibur ##22
Year & Era
1995 — Junk Wax Era (late)
Card Type
Base Card (Sword/Stone Design)
Grade
7.0 (Near Mint) estimated
Rarity
Common; high production volume typical of mid-90s mass-market sets.
Overall Assessment
A classic piece of 90s football memorabilia featuring the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Condition is collector-grade but not gem-mint.
Condition Grade
7.0 (Near Mint) estimated
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly bottom-heavy (approx 60/40), left-to-right look balanced for this die-cut design.
Surface Condition
Good minor surface scratches visible on the high-gloss coating; potential print snow in the upper left background.
Corner Condition
Reasonably sharp, but slight whitening visible on the bottom-right corner tip.
Edge Condition
Relatively clean; Collector's Edge stock from 1995 is prone to minor chipping along the darker right-side graphics.
Print Quality
High color saturation; crisp image of the Hall of Fame rusher; clean foil stamping on the logo.
Estimated Value
$2.00 - $5.00 raw; $20.00 - $35.00 in a PSA 9 slab.
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy; many 1995 Edge cards suffer from 'bricking' (sticking together), but this surface appears well-preserved.
Authentication Tips
Verify the 'Sword' foil stamping which should have a metallic reflection; check for the specific thickness of Collector's Edge card stock.
Grading Recommendation
SGC for an affordable slab, or PSA for registry collectors; however, raw value likely does not justify grading costs unless for personal PC.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; low incentive for counterfeiting this specific base issue.
Provenance Notes
Likely sourced from a 1995 Collector's Edge hobby or retail pack; part of the transition era to more premium card designs.
Historical Context
At this time, Emmitt was in the middle of his peak, leading the Cowboys to their third Super Bowl of the decade.
Market Trends
Stable; Emmitt Smith remains one of the most collected retired players with a high floor for value on mid-90s inserts and base.
Investment Potential
Low; this is a high-pop base card intended for nostalgic collectors rather than high-yield investors.
Similar Cards
1995 Topps Finest Emmitt Smith; 1995 Upper Deck SP Emmitt Smith; 1995 Collector's Edge Marshall Faulk.
Display & Preservation
Standard penny sleeve and top loader is sufficient; keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the blue jersey.
Interesting Facts
Collector's Edge was known for creative plastic-stock and die-cut cards, often confusing collectors between base and parallels.